Booker T. and the M.G.’s – Melting Pot (1971)

One of the greatest instrumental bands of all time.

“Green Onions” already featured in an earlier post (here) and “Time is Tight” will have to get an airing in the near future.

But “Melting Pot” is right up there with the best of Booker T.’s output.

Much sampled over the years, everything about this record is perfect; the bass is unbelievably laid back, Booker T.’s organ stabs and then soothes (as it were) and Steve Cropper’s guitar is simply sublime. One of my all time favourite guitarists at the top of his form – almost Nile Rodgers-esque in places – there is no higher praise!

The studio version from the 1971 LP and then a wonderful live version of more recent vintage.

New Order – Waiting For The Siren’s Call (2005)

New Order are the perfect pop band.

Already posted them on this blog here and here.

“Temptation” from early 1982 remains the best record ever made – a soundtrack to late adolescence and early adulthood – 8 minutes of perfection.

“Age of Consent” from later in 1982 never relents, “Ceremony” left over from Joy Division – cathartic and celebratory, “The Perfect Kiss” – one of the greatest music videos of all time and then “Blue Monday”, “The Village”, “As it was When it was”, “World in Motion” …… how good does it get?

They had their fallow periods but this track from 2005 returned to the motherlode. Hooky’s bass, the always trite lyrics, a tune to die for and washes of melancholia.

3:05 onwards nails pop perfection:

How many times must I lose my way …

How many words do I have to say ….

Original video then an unbelievable live version from New York that proves that Peter Hook is the greatest bass player of all time – apart from Bernard Edwards of Chic.

R.E.M. – E-Bow The Letter (1996)

Just seen the news of R.E.M.’s break up.

Had always followed them and loved much of their stuff but, to me, quality had been begun to drop off in recent years.

A wonderful back catalogue though - Reckoning, The One I Love, It’s the End of the World, Losing My Religion, Nightswimming, What’s the Frequency Kenneth, etc. Some perfect pop music in there.

But wanted to hear this tonight. Typical languid strum, stream of consciousness lyrics, nice tune, Patti Smith on the backing vocals. Who knows what he’s on about? Who cares, I’m glad it exists

 

 

AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long (1980)

Now, I like to think I’m someone fairly familiar with the tides of late 20th century philosophy. Building on the underlying principles of Marx (and, indeed, Darwin), I’ve followed the seminal writing of Foucault, the dead end of Derrida and the proto, then radical, feminism of Simon de Beauvoir and Sheila Rowbotham.

All of which encourages me to consider Brian Johnson’s second generation of AC/DC as worthy contributors to this canon.

Now, some may baulk at this judgement.

But, those who do, I invite you to consider the enticing ambiguity and comfort of seeing everything as a “metaphor”. Sometimes people speak literally.

When Johnson observes, in his opening lines, that “She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean”, those thinking metaphorically may well come to a dim view about where he is coming from.

However, if one considers a more literal interpretation, then it is clear that Johnson is celebrating the postwar empowerment of women; their enhanced independence, and, by extension, their greater unmediated access to the most potent symbol of self expression and independence – the motor car. So, a song that, quite literally, celebrates the opportunities of women in the late 20th century.

Probably.

For me, you can’t beat the bit around 57 seconds when the bass guitar kicks in ….

Iggy Pop – Family Affair (1985)

For some reason, this track seems to split opinions.

Gotta say, this is a stunning record – Iggy’s 1985 cover of the Sly and the Family Stone classic “Family Affair” just never relents.

Steve Jones on guitar with a style that sound a little bit like, ahem , The Police circa Every Breath You Take …

Never officially released, you can track it down on Iggy’s “Nuggets” compilation.

The Smiths – Reel Around The Fountain (1983)

The summer of 1983 was a pretty bad time. Dropped out of University (I could see, even then, that there was no future in IT …)

Pointless existence; even the Crispy Ambulance bootlegs were wearing thin.

Out of the blue, the first Peel Session by The Smiths raised the bar for “indie” music too a level never surpassed. Even before they had a record out, the Peel version of “Reel Around the Fountain” was installed as one of the best records ever made. The subsequent version on the debut LP in 1984 was pretty good with added piano, but the 1983 version is the one – pop music perfection.

15 minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn’t say no

Peel version, LP version and then live ….

The Phoenix Foundation – 40 years (2007)

More classic indie-rock music from the Flying Nun record label of New Zealand.

Tipped off about this band while in Auckland a few years ago – just perfect pop music.

From the same place as The Clean, The Verlaines, The Bats, Tall Dwarfs and The Chills, The Phoenix Foundation add another chapter to the genius of New Zealand lo-fi shenanigans.

Fantastic video then a rough live cut.

Derrick Morgan – Great Musical Battle (1968)

Wonderful late 60s reggae.

Commentary of a fictitous fight between rival reggae producers Bunny Lee and Clement “Coxsone” Dodd.

Allegedly refereed by Joe Frazier.

All narrated over the classic Dave Brubeck “Take Five” rhythm

Apparently an effectivc way of deciding musical disagreements ….